When you go into business – especially if you intend to operate a quick-serve-restaurant (QSR) or fast-casual establishment, one of the first decisions you’ll make as a potential business owner is whether you will go it alone or operate a franchise or some sort of licensed location. Each has its own benefits, but today we’re going to look specifically at some of the benefits that come from choosing to operate a franchise or licensed location/outlet.

Franchises are a Turnkey Business Opportunity

By choosing to operate a franchise instead of going it alone, you’ve eliminated much of the hard work that goes into things like, researching suitable (profitable) location(s), designing building/facilities, hiring reputable contractors and negotiating a lease agreement. When you purchase a franchise location (existing or not) you’re waling into a turnkey opportunity where the franchisor takes on much of the hassles and heavy lifting to get you started.

Franchises Have proven Systems in Place

There’s a reason why successful franchise are successful – systems! Everything (and we mean everything) in a successful franchise comes down to systems. These systems are designed to lower the time it takes to become profitable and eliminate any guesswork and missteps that those who go out on their own commonly make. There are systems in place for just about any facet of a business: hiring, marketing, account, technology and more.

Corporate Branding and Established Awareness

An established brand means established awareness and an established customer base. This kind of pre-existing loyalty is like gold when it comes to starting out in business. Customers who have a choice between a brand they recognize and a brand they don’t know are far more likely to choose the brand they know. Going the franchise route can get you instant loyalty and start your business off on the right foot.

Easier to Obtain Financing

Regardless of whether you are going it alone – or choosing to operate a franchise – you’ll likely need financing of some sort. Banks are almost always comfortable lending funds for the purchase of a franchise that has a record of success. Banks don’t like big risks – and that is, unfortunately, what they tend to see when someone decides to go it alone.

Training and Ongoing Support

Unlike going it alone, franchisors typically offer extensive training at their offices or at an established franchise location. Depending on the franchise, you may get a week of training – possibly even a whole month with ongoing support when you need it. This benefit goes back to our point about systems – the training helps instill systems into your new franchise and set you up for immediate success and avoid common mistakes that have happened (and been learned from ) in the past. Most franchises have a support team that can help you down the road as issues arise, too.

Marketing Activities

Most franchises have marketing support that is so good, you may not have to market your franchise at all. Between local, regional and national marketing campaigns your franchise may use your franchise fees toward supporting your business this way. Even if they don’t – or if you require more marketing for your location, most franchisors have an outline and marketing agencies available to you.

Exclusive Territory for Your Business

Buying a franchise also entitles you to an exclusive territory where no other franchises in your system will be located. Now that doesn’t mean you won’t face competition from other brands, but you will be protected from competing against other franchise owners under your brand.

And there you have it – seven reasons why purchasing a franchise can be better than going it alone. As you can see, these are some great benefits that can set you on the road to profitability far faster than going through the process on your own.